Oxfam Hong Kong is to raise the city’s living wage to HK$64 per hour from October 1.

Originating in the UK as a global movement in 2011, the living wage refers to a wage that allows employees and their families to meet basic needs and enables them to live a decent life. This includes being able to afford a balanced diet, a reasonable living space, a social life, education, health care, and to save for an emergency.

The rise from the current HK$62.8 per hour was based on analysis of Hong Kong’s wage levels and the latest Composite Consumer Price Index, the anti-poverty NGO said in a message to signatories on Monday.

Oxfam Hong Kong said it “adopted this wage level to advocate for the Government and the corporate sector to pay a Living Wage. We also call on the Government to introduce its own Living Wage benchmark and encourage listed companies to disclose, through ESG reporting, whether they pay a Living Wage to their employees.”

Legal min. wage set to rise by HK$1

The Census and Statistics Department’s 2025 Report on Annual Earnings and Hours Survey indicates that over 19 per cent of the workforce – around 707,300 employees – earn less than HK$62.8 per hour. Most work in elementary positions, as well as service, sales, manufacturing, retail, food and beverage sectors.

Hong Kong’s legal minimum hourly wage – set by the authorities – is set to rise by HK$1 next month to HK$43.10. Migrant domestic workers are exempt, with their wage set at a legal minimum of HK$5,100 per month plus a food allowance. By law, they must live with their employers.

Oxfam recognises employers who pay a living wage, awarding them with the “Living Wage Employer Logo” to recognise their commitment. HKFP is among the signatories to the scheme.